NORTHAMPTON — With the victim's family and friends looking on, Jeb S. Daly pleaded not guilty Friday to murdering his girlfriend, Jessica Dana.

Dana's body was found by friends wrapped in bags and bedding behind the Rocky Brook Drive home in Huntington she shared with Daly on June 22. Prosecutors say Daly beat and strangled her to death the day before, after a party at their home.

In a statement of facts released Friday, prosecutor Jeremy Bucci said financial troubles and Daly's cocaine habit created stress that led to the incident. Dana's three children, two of them by Daly, lived in the house with the couple.

Judge Richard Carey ordered Daly held without right to bail and scheduled a pretrial hearing for Dec. 22.